A reconfigurable piezo-ionotropic polymer membrane for sustainable multi-resonance acoustic sensing

Wu Bin Ying, Joo Sung Kim, Zhengyang Kong, Zhe Yu, Elvis K. Boahen, Fenglong Li, Chao Chen, Ying Tian, Ji Hong Kim, Hanbin Choi, Jung-Yong Lee, Jin Zhu () and Do Hwan Kim ()
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Wu Bin Ying: Hanyang University
Joo Sung Kim: Hanyang University
Zhengyang Kong: Hanyang University
Zhe Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Elvis K. Boahen: Hanyang University
Fenglong Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chao Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ying Tian: Hanyang University
Ji Hong Kim: Hanyang University
Hanbin Choi: Hanyang University
Jung-Yong Lee: School of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Jin Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Do Hwan Kim: Hanyang University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of deafness, typically resulting from the loss of sensory cells on the basilar membrane, which cannot regenerate and thus lose sensitivity to sound vibrations. Here, we report a reconfigurable piezo-ionotropic polymer membrane engineered for biomimetic sustainable multi-resonance acoustic sensing, offering exceptional sensitivity (530 kPa-1) and broadband frequency discrimination (20 Hz to 3300 Hz) while remaining resistant to “dying”. The acoustic sensing capability is driven by an ion hitching-in cage effect intrinsic to the ion gel combined with fluorinated polyurethane. In this platform, the engineered ionotropic polymer stretches under acoustic vibrations, allowing cations to penetrate the widened hard segments and engage in strong ion-dipole interactions (cation···F), thereby restricting ion flux and amplifying impedance changes. Additionally, the sensor’s sustainability is ensured through its self-healing properties and hydrophobic components, which enable effective self-repair in both conventional and aqueous environments without ion leakage, achieving a room-temperature healing speed of 0.3–0.4 μm/min. This sustainable acoustic sensing technology enables the devices to reliably identify specific sounds in everyday environments (e.g., human voices, piano notes), demonstrating their potential application as artificial basilar membranes.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63643-4

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